LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A $300,000 donation to the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) by Consumers Energy is the largest single donation in the 76-year history of the fund. According to the State of Michigan, the money will be used to “help potentially hundreds of military veterans pay their heating bills in Michigan this winter.”

This isn’t the first time that Consumers Energy has given money to the trust fund. Over the past three years, they have gifted $550,000 to the MVTF.

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The money will be used for veterans who are Consumers customers pay utility bills and make emergency home repairs that fall under “energy efficiency” such as furnace and roof repairs. Veterans can to find out about their eligibility by calling 1-800-MICH-VET or by visiting the MVTF webpage and fill out the emergency assistance form.

The fund itself is an Emergency Grant Program intended to help veterans overcome an unforeseen situation causing a temporary or short-term financial emergency or hardship that a grant will resolve and for which the applicant can demonstrate the ability to meet future expenses. Beginning in December 2021, peacetime-era veterans 65-years-old and older also became eligible for emergency assistance as part of the MVTF’s 65+ Peacetime Program. The program allows veterans who served in a peacetime era, have at least 180 days of service, and were discharged under honorable conditions to apply for emergency assistance. A person is eligible to apply any time during the year in which they turn 65-years-old.

MVTF Director Lindell Holm says about the Consumers Energy donation, “Utility assistance continues to be one of our biggest needs, especially during these cold winter months. We are incredibly thankful to have the support of Consumers Energy as we work to assist veterans and their families during this time. This donation allows the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund to expand our reach to more veterans facing critical needs besides utilities like emergency rent assistance and home payments.”

More than 51% of Michigan’s nearly 550,000 veterans are 65-years-old or older and 21% receive disability compensation, living on a fixed income. That information comes from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Since late 2020, more than $169,000 in donations from Consumers and the MTVF have helped 457 Michigan veterans and their dependents pay utility bills. Another $190,000 in donations from Consumers and the MVTF have helped veterans make energy-efficient home repairs in the form of furnaces and roofs.

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Consumers has provided $7.25 million this winter to help Michigan residents with energy bills, which includes the assistance for military veterans.

Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy’s president and CEO says, “Consumers Energy understands many Michiganders are facing challenging times and no one wants to see rising energy bills – especially our most vulnerable customers. We recognize our responsibility to help our customers who count on us every day. Natural gas prices have climbed across the Midwest and nation, and we are committed to helping customers manage their bills and help those in need immediately.”